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Amidah-Healing-The Great Physician



The 8th of Nisan is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Mordechai of Neshchiz (1740-1800) (or 1880)  Descended from the Maharal of Prague and Don Yitzchak Abarbanel, Rav Mordechai was a disciple of Rav Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov (Zolochiv, Złoczów). His sayings were collected in Rishpei Eish. He was succeeded by his son, Rav Yitzchak of Neshchiz.

 

A Chassid fell ill and complained to the Neshchizer that the physician in his hometown did not know the cure for his illness. The Rabbi declared, “Go to Hanipol, and visit the local doctor there.”

When the man reached Hanipol, he discovered that there was no doctors there, and in great distress returned home. He went to the Rabbi again and informed him that his journey had been useless.

The Rabbi asked him, “What, then, does a resident of Hanipol do when he falls sick?”

The man replied, “He prays for his recovery.”

The Rabbi responded, and “It is for this very reason that I sent you to Hanipol, namely, to learn that if a mortal doctor feels you, do as the sick folk of Hanipol do; they pray to God, the Great Physician.

One of the first things God teaches Israel after the Splitting of the Sea is that, “I am God, your Healer.” The people needed healing even after Redemption, from all the physical and emotional wounds of suffering and slavery. Thus, they received the Torah, the ultimate Freedom, in a completely healed state.

As we prepare for Pesach, and when we pray this blessing on Chol HaMoed, we must remember to pray for the healing that is necessary even after we have been redeemed.

Haggadah: “We cried to God, the Lord of our ancestors.”

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